WASHINGTON - A coalition of civil liberties and human services organizations today announced that it has sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson outlining concerns about DHS's Fiscal Year 2016 Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Grant Program.

"We believe that the Grant Program will have a potential negative impact on free religious exercise and political expression, cause the probable stigmatization of community members as a result of the reframing of routine programming and mental health and social services as CVE, and lead to the possible loss of organizational independence and autonomy. These consequences do not justify the anticipated short-term benefit which government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and institutes of higher education would accrue from an infusion of Grant Program funding.

"In light of the Muslim-focused approach of the CVE program observed to date, the Grant Program also provides ill-advised and out-of-touch political officials and media with additional pretext to increase fear-mongering about American Muslim communities.

"Accordingly, none of the undersigned organizations, their local chapters, or affiliates intend to apply for funds under the Grant Program."

"While the CVE grants offer many groups a much needed opportunity of funding, the price tag on these particular grants is very high," said CAIR Department to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia Director Corey Saylor.

Saylor added: "As Americans, we are united in a desire to ensure our nation's security in the face of violent extremists. This unity does not mean that Americans should embrace ill-advised policy."

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CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Further

Lookit These Kids Redux: Over 200 kids in Pennsylvania who defied their school's ban on joining last week's nationwide walkout transformed their ostensible punishment into Civil Disobedience 101 by turning their detention into a silent, moving sit-in. With the community offering support - and pizza - the #Pennridge 225 linked arms, wore the names of Parkland victims and declared the consequences of their actions "a badge of honor" to show "we’ll stand up for what is right."